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GOOD NEWS Letters & SERIES Teachings>
BLOW The TRUMPET in ZION-by: Pastor Abraham Bascon
September 10, 2009
BLOW The TRUMPET in ZION-by: Pastor Abraham Bascon
As the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ receives the Lord's blessings, His blessings will overflow resulting in the Salvation of souls! God wants US to be moved by His desire to bless us! In James 1:22 God tells us to be "doers" of His Word and not "hearers" only, lest' we "cheat" ourselves! God's Words are "Spirit" and they are "Life!" (John 6:63) "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. God's Word is "life-giving!" His Words are health to our flesh and marrow to our bones!(Prov.3:8) Keep in mind, that it is the "spiritual" and not "material" things that last! When we are not "doers" of God's Word, we literally "cheat" ourselves of God's blessings!
As we read in JOEL 2 we read that after a time of desolation from disobedience towards God; and, that everything had been devoured by the locusts: the vines, the olive and fig trees, the waters and streams etc.. all have died; and, there is no food for the people or the animals as well. We read that here, there is a condition of extreme draught in the land. All are feeling the effects of the draught; but, also the land and the beasts of the land. Everyone experiences the effects! A land once "green," then devoured by locusts! And folks persih for lack of food and strength.
Before we experienced the "New Birth" and the "Holy Spirit Baptism," we were like that land.
AFTER experiencing the "New Birth" and the Baptism of the Holy Spirit,we experienced "spiritual" prosperity and joy unspeakable!
We prayed and God answered our prayers! We were so enthusiastic about the things of the Lord! However, throughout the years, we began to neglect the "purpose" of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit in our "calling": being "witnesses" for the Lord Jesus. And, we became of no effect. As a result, no new souls were being saved. As young Christians, we shared Jesus everywhere we went! We did not hesitate to intoduce Christ to folks that we spoke to! We brought folks into the Kingdom of God by sharing the Lord Jesus Christ with them!
Perhaps, we got 'caught-up' with the other many blessings that we received from the Lord. Or, perhaps we just got so busy and so involved with various church ministries or programs that all of our time was taken up. And, eventually we found ourselves called away from our "main purpose" of Evangelism. God's Will is that NONE should perish;but, to come unto repentance and receive everlasting life! (JOHN 3:16)
How will folks be saved, if they do not hear the Gospel of Christ? WHO has the Word of God, the Gospel? WE DO!! We need to bring the Word of God to "whosoever!" To families, relatives, friends and strangers! We need to give them the opportunity as we ourselves have had, to get saved!
Remember, that the very reason for the Holy Spirit Baptism (that we have received), is that we were 'endued' with power to be "witnesses" of Christ! Christians are "fully-equipped" by God to receive the Word of God, to put it to the test and to share it with someone! We are to do our part for the Kingdom of God!
The more that we PRAY, the more familiar we become with God, His voice and what He tells us to do! As Christians, it doesn't make any sense for us just to live our lives day to day doing nothing for the Kingdom of God. But, as Christians, WE need to pray.
We need to observe and make positive conclusions and to ask ourselves, the question: Just WHY are we still here? Are we here to continue our jobs, responsibilities etc..? Are we here Lord, to SERVE You? Then, we might answer: Okay, Lord. What is Your Will? And, of course we are well aware of His Will: That NONE should perish.(John 3:16). Folks reach out to us, and we need to do the same! We used to do that; so, what happened?
Can you imagine what it would be like for you and me today; had the person who shared Christ with US, didn't take the time to tell us about the Lord? Many Christians ask the question: What is MY calling? Answer: God tells us to go out and get souls saved! Be the Temple of God! Be His hands, His Feet and His mouthpiece! Things are not quite the same as it used to be! Why?
When we bring a person to the Lord, we don't take the glory for it. We rejoice that they received Christ! If all the angels of heaven rejoice when one sinner repents, shouldn't we too rejoice?
(LUKE 15:10)
When you see your family members get saved, that brings you extreme joy! Great joy! Well, what happens when Salvation of souls begins to dry up because we are too busy for the things of God? With whatever things pulled us away from our calling. Is there still a fire blazing in us? When we see souls saved on a daily basis, it is very exciting! It's a joyful occasion! It means that we are doing the Will of God!
The Prophet JOEL says: "Blow the trumpet in Zion!" Blow the trumpet in the presence of God's People! Sound the alarm!! Wake them up! Wake them up to the main purpose of their calling: to save souls! To bring the Gospel of Christ to the unsaved! God has already "equipped" His people for this task! While we still have breath within us, let us do God's Will!
PRAY that the Spirit of Revival and Spiritual Restoration; (that the Locusts of Complacency for Evangelism has devoured, and that the theif comes to destroy), PRAY that they are restored to us! Pray that Spiritual Restoration takes place within the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ in our cities, towns and neighborhoods.
Some Christian churches are experiencing wonderful Revival on a daily basis. There is such great joy and excitement among the folks in these churches as they go and share Christ with everyone. We ask: Why isn't it taking place here in our cities and towns and churches? Why are folks not excited enough to attend church services regularly? Do they have reasons not to go to church? What are their reasons? What happened to their joy and enthusiasm? Perhaps they need to repent and not play the blame game. We all need to look into our own selves. We all need to be honest and acknowledge if there is sin. If you can't see any sin within yourself, well, Praise the Lord.
We need to know our priority! When Jesus came, He said that there would be divisions in your household. Some family members just might be against your faith in Christ. Just continue to PRAY for them!
Can you imagine if EVERY church was experiencing Revival? How many souls would be saved! On the Day of Pentecost, Peter was not afraid to stand up and share the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ with tens of thousands of Jews! And, what happened? Three thousand folks received the Lord! Signs and wonders followed them, as Jesus said it would! Jesus was confirming the Word that they were sharing with signs and wonders! And God was adding to the Church daily! ACTS 2:41-47.
The blessings that we receive from God, will also become blessings to the unsaved as we go and share the Gospel with them! Question: What is God's desire? Answer: That NONE should perish! Question: What is OUR desire? To please the Lord or material things? God has already equipped us! Start sharing Christ and see what happens! We need to have Revival so that God's Will can be done here on earth! Spend some time praying for Revival! Do not only blow the trumpet; but, tell them what they need to do! Give the Lord ALL of your time! Give Him ALL of yourself! Turn to God with ALL of your heart!
God says in the Book of JOEL,to come to Him with fasting, weeping,and mourning! We need to do some of these things individually as well as cooperately! We need to repent and ask for the Lord's forgiveness for neglecting to do His Will. God's Word also tells us here in JOEL, to call for a cooperate fast (the whole church), fast, pray and weep before the Lord!
God says: He WILL answer and bring RESTORATION of souls, joy, renewed energy, enthusiasm and the hunger to do His Will to get souls saved! Revival not only within your own self; but, in the Church!
I challenge you to put into action what God has blessed YOU with! You received the Holy Spirit Baptism, now show the evidence, the proof: that we are witnesses of Christ! The evidence, will be the Salvation of souls! Put into action, what God has already done for US! GOD says: Test ME, see what will happen if you do not rob Me of My tithes...see if I will not open the windows of heaven to pour out My blessings upon YOU!
Lord bless you all!
Pastor Abraham
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